Formal Ringling Museum Engagement Portraits | Raleigh Wedding Photographer

I met up with Christy, Preston & Savannah from Shindigco (their wedding designer) at the Ringling Museum for their engagement session. Christy was a show stopper in a sparkly, floor-length dress and Preston looked quite dapper in his two-piece navy suit. For their second location, they chose to be on the water, since they spent their weekends boating. These two know how to get fancy and how to have fun!

Christy & Preston met during their tax program at UF. Christy first noticed Preston because of his laid-back personality and kind heart. Preston noticed Christy’s sense of humor and how beautiful she was. These two quickly became the “class couple” of Tax Law. They even had one of their professors who was notorious for poking fun and teasing them once he found out they liked each other. How fun!

These two spend a lot of time together on the water, so we wanted the second half of our shoot to capture them in their element. Unfortunately, Preston’s boat was getting repaired so the days leading up to the shoot, we didn’t know if we would actually be able to capture them while boating. Fortunately, Preston knows how to pivot. He has an uncle in the area who saved the day and offered to drive us around on his boat. Preston and Christy ended the session dancing to Frank Sinatra and embracing the (salty) fresh air.

As our time together was coming to close, Christy & Preston invited us to join them for dinner. The four of us stopped by a local seafood restaurant, ate oysters and talked for hours. I learned so much about their love for US travel, specifically Montana, oysters and their family. I knew I liked these two, but spending quality time together without my camera just sealed the deal even more. These are the moments that play a role in my job on the wedding day, as I search for the ways to bring out these details on the wedding day. You better believe there will be a fun oyster shot during their cocktail hour!